Top Free Things to do in South Bank
You don't need to spend a fortune to enjoy a great day out sightseeing in South Bank.
We love a good pop-up here in South Bank, and this winter we’ve got more than ever to keep your entertained!
From interactive shows to rooftop bars and those iconic riverside snow globes, here’s your essential rundown of the season’s best pop-ups - and when to catch them.
THE CURLING CLUB
WHEN: 10 Oct 2024 – 6 Feb 2025
WHERE: Beneath Hungerford Bridge (next to Southbank Centre and Jubilee Gardens)
WHAT IS IT? An indoor apres-ski-themed bar with curling lanes to play on
Gliding into South Bank again this winter, the apres-ski-themed bar The Curling Club is back under Hungerford Bridge for another season, and this year is staying open all the way until February. Book a game and throw some stones on the casual curling lanes and enjoy festive drinks and Alpine street food such as ‘dirty raclette fries’ from the bar.
ELECTRIC WINTER AT BETWEEN THE BRIDGES
WHEN: Until 22 Dec 2024
WHERE: Next to Jubilee Gardens and Hungerford Bridge, entrance on the Queen's Walk
WHAT IS IT? A maze of connected indoor and outdoor beer halls, bars and food trucks
Between the Bridges has had its annual festive makeover and returns with the Electric Winter party extravaganza lighting up the South Bank. Feast on tasty street food from the food trucks in the courtyard, cosy up with mulled wine in the winter garden bar, shop the pop-up SoLo Christmas Craft Fair on Sundays (until 22 Dec) and party hard to the very best Christmas bangers and sparkling drag acts in the two huge, festively decorated beer halls.
WINTER MARKET
WHEN: 1 Nov – 26 Dec 2024
WHERE: On the Queen's Walk beneath Hungerford Bridge (next to the Southbank Centre)
WHAT IS IT? A classic Christmas market experience
The festive season just wouldn’t be the same without Southbank Centre’s annual Christmas market. This year there’s a great choice of tasty food on sale from the quaint chalet stalls under Hungerford Bridge, plus a variety of mulled wine, hot chocolates and ciders available from the two open-air pop-up bars and a selection of quirky gift stalls.
JIMMY’S FIRE & FROMAGE
WHEN: 31 Oct – 31 Dec 2024
WHERE: On the Queen's Walk next to Waterloo Bridge (opposite the Southbank Centre skatepark)
WHAT IS IT? A delicious alpine pop-up dining experience
At Jimmy’s Alpine-inspired Fire & Fromage pop-up right on the riverside next to Southbank Centre there are firepits for toasting marshmallows and a mouthwatering menu of Alpine inspired street food like schnitzels and raclette burgers, plus fantastic wintery cocktails and of course the best mulled wine. For a special treat book a table at the Raclette Bar and indulge in a 90-minute unlimited raclette feast.
Limin' Winter Lodge
WHEN: From 19 Oct 2024
WHERE: Gabriel's Wharf
WHAT IS IT? South Bank's vibrant Caribbean restaurant has had a Christmas makeover
For the winter season the funky Trinidadian restaurant Limin' has been transformed from a beach bar into a magical alpine ski lodge! In addition to the venue's super Christmassy new look, Limin's menu has also had a wintery makeover with a Carbibbean twist. The new dishes on the menu are inspired by mountain cuisine, with some added Caribbean spice; such as Scotch Bonnet and Christmas Spice Glazed Ham and a delicious Croque Monsieur with Trini ham, melted cheese and truffle oil.
COCKBURN'S CHRISTMAS LODGE
WHEN: From Dec 7–22, open Fri-Sun
WHERE: Between the Bridges
WHAT IS IT? Cosy après-ski-inspired lodge serving port and port-based cocktails
The UK’s number one bestselling port brand Cockburn's launches its own winter pop-up in South Bank this December, raising a toast to the festive season with mulled Cockburn’s Special Reserve, classic neat serves of aged ports and even port negronis. Adding some Christmas sparkle to the space there's tinsel and glitter balls aplenty. The pop-up opens on Fridays 5pm–11pm, Sat and Sun 12pm–11pm.
THE THIRSTY FARRIER
WHEN: 1 Nov – 26 Dec 2024
WHERE: On the Queen's Walk beneath Hungerford Bridge (next to the Southbank Centre)
WHAT IS IT? Charmingly festive riverside pop-up bar with a stunning view of Big Ben
This quirky pop-up bar is the perfect photo-op, sitting with a prime view of Big Ben and the London Eye. Fashioned from a salvaged vintage horsebox, the bar has its own 'cocktail garden' area that faces right onto the river that has been given a super festive makeover for the season complete with Christmas trees and plenty of fairy lights!
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